Azalea plant named Mystic

ABSTRACT

An azalea plant named Mystic particularly characterized by its dark glossy evergreen foliage, single flower form, fuchsia flower color, ease of budding, uniform and dense plant habit, free branching, rapid and uniform flower response in a year round controlled program, excellent cooler tolerance and good keeping quality.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Azalea, agreenhouse forcing type, hereinafter referred to as Mystic.

Mystic, identified as Code 1010 during the selection process, originatedfrom a planned cross hybridization between two selected breeding linesin a controlled breeding program in Fort Myers, Fla.

The female, or seed parent of Mystic is the commercial cultivar Girard'sFuchsia, a deep reddish purple single. The male, or pollen parent is aseedling known as Code 227, a proprietary breeding line.

Mystic was discovered and selected by Wendy R. Bergman as one floweringplant within the progeny of the stated cross in January 1992, in FortMyers, Fla.

The first asexual reproduction of Mystic was accomplished whenvegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in Apr. 1992,in Fort Myers, Fla., by technicians working under formulationsestablished and supervised by Wendy R. Bergman.

Horticultural examination of controlled flowerings of successivegenerations of plants derived from cuttings taken from the originalselection has shown that the unique combination of characteristics asherein disclosed for Mystic are fixed and retained through successivegenerations of asexual reproduction.

Mystic has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity and day length,without, however, any variance in the genotype. The followingobservations, measurements and comparisons describe plants that weregrown in Fort Myers, Fla. in a controlled greenhouse environment andfollowing a commercial schedule.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Mystic, which, in combination, distinguishthis azalea as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. A fuchsia flower color (between 71B and 71C) fading to a rose pink(between 68A and 68B) at old age.

2. Single flower form.

3. The flowers range in size from 6.5 to 8.5 cm in diameter with 7.5 cmthe average size.

4. Compact, uniform and symmetrical plant habit.

5. Fast, uniform response in a year round controlled flowering program,forcing in 27 days on average.

6. Good longevity in a simulated home environment, with flowers lastingup to 25 days.

7. Excellent foliage retention and no flower bud damage when cooled forsix (6) weeks with no lighting at 38° F.

The accompanying color photograph shows in perspective view the uniquefeatures of the new cultivar, with colors being as true as possible withcolor illustrations on this type.

Of the commercial cultivars known to the inventor, the most similar incomparison to Mystic is the seed parent Girard's Fuchsia. While both areevergreen azaleas with single flower form, Mystic's flowers are a shadelighter in color than Girard's Fuchsia and the petal margins of Mysticare not as wavy.

In the following description color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart. The color values were determined onApr. 6, 1995. All readings were taken in an office under cool whitefluorescent lights, facing a west window between the hours of 10:00 a.mand 2:00 p.m.

Classification:

Botanical.--Rhododendron hybrida, evergreen type.

Commercial.--Florist forcing pot azalea, cv. Mystic.

INFLORESCENCE

Flower (General):

Size.--6.5 to 8.5 cm.

Born.--Terminal cluster, usually three (3) per bud, ranging from two tofour (2-4). Often more than one (1) bud per stem.

Form.--Single. Funnel-form.

Blooming habit.--Once profusely. Buds easily and uniformly in ayear-round flowering program. The majority of terminal buds break colorwithin one (1) week of the first. Flowering begins approximately 27 daysafter the start of forcing.

Fragrance.--Present.

Corolla (Petals):

Texture.--Soft.

Substance.--Heavy.

Shape.--Rounded. Irregular undulate margin.

Color (fully open).--Generally between 71B and 71C. Fuchsia. Uppersurface: Edge: Between 71C and 71D. Center: 72C. Base: Between 72D and73B. Lower surface: 71D with overlay toward base of between 58B and 58C.Blotch: 61A.

Bud:

Size.--Medium.

Shape.--Conoidal.

Color.--Between 71B and 71C.

Bud sheath.--Light green to light brown with light brown hairs.

Calyx:

Form.--Acuminate.

Color.--144B.

Peduncle:

Length.--0.5-1.5 cm.

Strength.--Strong.

Aspect.--Pubescent.

Reproductive organs:

Androecium (stamens).--Number: Six to eight (6-8). Anthers: 79A.Filaments: Length: 2.3-4.5 cm. Color: Between 66C and 66D.

Gynoecium (pistil).--Stigma: 59A. Style: Length: 3.0-4.8 cm. Color:Between 73A and 73B. Ovary: Pubescent.

PLANT CHARACTERISTICS

Foliage:

Type.--Evergreen.

Arangement.--Alternate.

Shape.--Elliptic to ovate.

Size.--Length: 2.0-7.0 cm. Width: 0.7-3.4 cm.

Margin.--Entire.

Color.--Immature: Upper surface; 144A. Lower surface: 144B. Mature:Upper surface: 139A. Lower surface: 146B. Texture: Leathery, Tomentum:Present on upper surface, Insignificant.

Stems:

Color.--Immature: 184B. Mature: 165A. Tomentum: Present, sparse,Insignificant.

Plant habit: Compact, upright, dense bush which is uniform andsymmetrical in a six-inch (6") pot when pinched three (3) times. Totalcrop time to the dormant budded stage is 40-42 weeks to produce a plantapproximately 30 cm in diameter and having a total height of 30-36 cm.Internode lengths vary widely from 1-30 mm on the same stem.

Branching habit: Free branching, producing three to five (3-5) breakswhen a vegetative cutting is pinched.

Rooting: Roots easily in eight to ten (8-10) weeks with 75° F. soiltemperature.

Budding ease: Plants produce flower buds easily and uniformly year roundwith the use of commercially available plant growth regulators. Naturalseason response has not been acertained.

Cooler tolerance: Plants placed in a cooler as a means of breakingdormancy perform very well. Mystic is tolerant of six (6) weeks in anunlighted cooler at 38° F. without excessive bud damage or foliage loss.

Blooming: Plants reach the stage of 12 buds showing color in 27 days onaverage after the cooling treatment. This varies from 20 to 34 daysdepending upon time of year. Mystic flowers uniformly and profuselyacross the plant.

Shelf life: When plants are moved to an office or home environment atthe stage of eight (8) open flowers, they maintain an attractiveappearance for 25 days on average.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of azalea named Mystic, asdescribed and illustrated.